Rally Guide 2012
Check out or download our
2012
Quality Hotels
Rally Guide.
This will help give you an overall look at the event and help you plan your visit to
Clonakilty in West Cork
The 2012 Quality Hotels West Cork Rally will take place on St Patrick's Weekend, March 17 and 18. Usual format, with stages on the Saturday and the Sunday and centralised service after every two stages.
Pace Note making on the weekend before and also Thursday and Friday of the rally weekend. Hope to see you in West Cork on St. Patrick's weekend!
Regulations and entry forms will be available to download as soon as passed by MI.
You can request a set to be sent to you by clicking here
Rally Guide PDF.pdf
Citroen return. Press Release One on
NEWS PAGE & Stage PR details
630 Euro
2 Days
16 Tarmac Stages
230KM Stage Length
140KM Road Section
Quality Hotel
Clonakilty
Co. Cork, Ireland.
Tel: +353 23 88 36400
www.qualityhotelclon.com
RECCE
10/11/15/16 March 2012
SCRUTINY begins
16 March 2012 _ 2pm
FCD SS1
17 March 2012 _ 11.15am
Follow the
West Cork Rally
on Facebook
Quality Hotels West Cork Rally 2012 Press Release 1
For the 34th time since the event was inaugurated in 1977, the Quality Hotel West Cork Rally returns to Clonakilty on St.Patricks Weekend. Cork Motor Club who promote the event are delighted to have the Quality Hotel on board as title sponsor for the tenth year in a row and are hoping to carry on the tradition of having a diverse range of entries throughout Ireland and the UK.
After three successful years at the helm, Darren McCarthy is stepping down to Deputy CoC while Martin Godfrey takes over as the new Clerk of the Course (only the sixth in the events history). Martin says Darren will be a tough act to follow, but having him as deputy CoC will be a huge help. As always the route is very challenging with 16 stages spread out over two days. Following the success of the town stage around Clonakilty in 2011, the club are delighted to be able to run a town stage twice this year.
The entry fee for the main field is once again held at a competitive €630 for almost 240km of stage miles (with 150km approx. road miles). There will also be a Historic Rally which will begin on Stage 5 on day one; the cost of entry here is €480 while the Junior Rally will cover the last four stages of the event at a cost of €330. After the success of the scheme over the past four years, junior competitors are also reminded that if they go marshalling on the Saturday stages then they will get a refund of €100 on their entry fee. Both crew members have to take part to avail of this. The service area will be centralised as usual near Clonakilty and Regulations will be available to download shortly from www.corkmotorclub.com and www.westcorkrally.com.
The Windscreen Company have renewed their sponsorship of the Southern 4 Rally Championship for 2012, with the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally being the first round as usual. The Citroen Cup is also back for 2012 and is also the opening round. The event is also the first round of the Road Rally Cup sponsored by Fairfield Motorsport. The Bones OConnor Modified Challenge is back for a sixth year in 2012 which Damien McCarthy was the surprise, but fully deserving winner in 2011. This challenge incorporates cars from classes 9-15 (details on classes to be found on www.motorsportireland.com) and has been very competitive over the years.
Information on accommodation may be sourced by contacting the Quality Hotel on 023 8836400, (00 353 23 8836400 from the UK) or logging onto their website at www.qualityclonakiltyhotel.com. A comprehensive rally guide will also be available shortly to download from www.corkmotorclub.com and www.westcorkrally.com.
Kevin ODriscoll
Press & Media Officer
Tel: 00 353 86 2866 256
Email: Kevin_westcorkrally.com
Despite the recessed economic times we are living in, the Citroen Racing Trophy Ireland is continuing to provide a generous prize fund and support for drivers in 2012, with a 40,000€ prize fund available for the Trophy and an exciting new prize for the top Junior driver at the end of the season.
Championship co-ordinator Raymond Moore has been busy once again piecing it all together for 2012, with the Citroen C2 R2s and Maxs once again eligible for Citroen Racings Trophy. Its all coming together for the new season, with our first round in West Cork not too far away commented Raymond. Thanks to Citroen Racing, Total, Pirelli and Charles Hurst we are back on track this year. Not only that but we have a new prize for the top Junior driver aged 23 years and under at the end of the season. They will be eligible for a 10,000€ Citroen Racing parts voucher and tyre support from Pirelli to compete on the Rally Du Var in France at the end of the season. Added to this we are also looking at a new points system, which includes points for special stage positions.
The series kicks off with West Cork in March, followed by the very exciting IRC Circuit of Ireland Rally where the Trophy runners will run in the main field. Then its the remainder of the Irish Tarmac Championship calendar with Killarney, Donegal, Ulster and the final Cork round will have the added incentive of double points. The Super Rally rule is also going to be used this year to help keep the crews in the running.
As usual interest is high, and last years champion Scott McElhinney could be one to watch, thats of his two C2 Maxs arent sold. The Donegal driver has the cars for sale, with interested parties, but is likely to compete if the cars dont sell before West Cork. Another front runner last year was Kieran Daly, the Cork driver really coming onto the pace with his Dermot Healy run car. Another young driver who showed speed last season was Mayos David Carney, and he is currently converting his car from right to left hand drive, in an effort to learn left hand drive before he progresses into faster machinery. Limericks Kevin OConnor is now in possession of Marty McCormacks old C2 Max, and he could be a dark horse if he stays between the ditches. His brother John will also drive his old C2 R2. Donegals Joe McGonigle is another driver likely to continue the Trophy with his C2 Max and Ciaran Geaney in the co-drivers seat. Welsh visitor Steve Woods enjoyed his trip to Wexford so much last season that he came back for Cork and now intends to tackle the 2012 series, with the possibility of his friend also hiring a car for the season!
19 year old Joe Shrimpton is another young driver to have shown pace towards the end of the year and the English driver has just taken delivery of Mark Sheehans C2 Max, and will have Andrew Purcell in the co-drivers seat. Joe is however unsure of just how many rounds he will doing. I have a deal to drive in the Super National category of the British Rallycross championship, so Im not sure which C2 series or how many rounds I will enter. I would love to do it all, and especially Donegal and Killarney, but I will know soon. I think this will be a good car, and I have Andrew in the co-drivers seat and a good team behind me, so we could really build on last years learning season.
Another English driver Andrew Hockridge may wheel out his C2 Max after a long lay-off whilst Christian South has purchased a C2 Max from Jam Motorsport and is interested in the Irish Trophy. Other interested drivers at the time of press include rapid Civic driver Cal McCarthy, former Trophy runner Paul Manton, and young Omagh lass Amy Cox. For a list of cars for sale or hire contact Raymond Moore and he details can be supplied.
Its going to be another fast season in store, for the most generous one-make rally series ever to hit the Irish shores.
Citroen Racing Trophy 2012 Calendar
1West Cork Rally17th/18th March
2IRC Circuit of Ireland Rally6th/7th April
3Killarney International Rally5th/6th May
4Donegal International Rally15th-17th June
5Ulster International Rally17th-18th August
6Cork 20 International Rally6th-7th October
PR of the Special Stages for the 2012 Quality Hotels West Cork Rally takes place this coming Saturday, Jan uary 28.
The meeting point is at the Quality Hotel in Clonakilty at 10am. All are welcome to help out on this very important task.
Contact 086 8369091 if you can help.
Follow us on Twitter & Facebook
Clerk of the Course
Martin Godfrey
Sunville, Ballycotton, Co. Cork
Phone: +353 87 2738386
e-mail: martin_westcorkrally.com
Kevin O'Driscoll
Phone: +353 86 2866256
e-mail: kevin_westcorkrally.com
Entries Secretary
Martina Linehan
Grange Motors, Cooney's Lane, Douglas, Cork
Phone: +353 83 4140744 (Between 7 & 10PM)
e-mail: entries_westcorkrally.com
Cork Motor Club
Cork Motor Club came into existence in 1976. That was the year that a group of enthusiasts got together in Blarney, Co. Cork to give birth to what was then, Ireland's newest motor club. Unlike most newly formed motor clubs of the time, Cork Motor Club was founded, not by a group of enthusiastic beginners, but by a band of highly experienced people who saw the need for a club with a fresh outlook on motor sport in the Cork area.
Within a short space of just six months, Cork Motor club boasted a membership of some 140 eager members. The majority of these had been, and in some cases still are, members of other motor clubs in the county. There was also a large number of people who were first introduced to motor sport through becoming members of this new and enthusiastic club. During this first year of 1976 Cork Motor Club did not run any major events but club members were nonetheless kept busy mainly through organising social functions and marshalling on other club's events throughout the country.
Indeed it was through marshalling that Cork Motor Club first made its existence known to the rallying public. On the 1976 Circuit of Ireland Rally, Cork Motor Club members set up and marshalled two of that event's Special Stages, one at Borlin and the other at Gortnagane. Banners and Cork Motor Club stickers proclaimed the presence of the "Cork mob" and a trophy was presented by the club to the competitor who set fastest time on the Borlin stage. It was indeed fitting that it was a Cork Motor Club member, one Billy Coleman, was presented with the trophy before the Monday start from Killarney. It was a proud moment for all concerned - Cork Motor Club had arrived.
The first Annual General Meeting of Cork Motor Club took place in 1976.
A board of directors was elected and included Dick O'Brien, Declan Mullally, Brian Mattsson, Michael 'Bones' O'Connor, Chris O'Mahony, Dick O'Rourke, Dave Bogan (RIP) and Billy Ryan. Almost immediately plans were set in train for the running of Cork Motor Club's first major event, the West Cork Rally. An organising committee was set up under the direction of Clerk of the Course, Declan Mullally, to whom the job presented nothing new, Declan Mullally having run the Cork '20' Rally for the previous few years. Declan Mullally was ably assisted by the likes of Michael "Bones" O'Connor (Assistant COC), who had clerked the Moonraker Rally since 1975; Dick O'Brien, another former Cork '20' Clerk of the Course; Dick O'Rourke, Clerk of the Course of the 1976 Circuit of Munster Rally and Dermot Locke, who was described at the time as the next best thing to a computer where results were concerned.
The 1977 West Cork Rally was the competition beginning of what we feel is Ireland's best motor club.
Event PRO Kevin O'Driscoll looks back over the 2011 Quality Hotels West Cork Rally...
Introduction
The 33rd Quality Hotels West Cork Rally took place this past weekend the 19th & 20th March. 137 crews lined up in the main field led away by top seed John Dalton & Gwynfor Jones in their Darrian T90 GTR. This Welsh crew had been winners of the modified section each year since 2005 and was hoping to go one better this year. At number two was pre-event favourite, Daragh ORiordan and Tony McDaid in their Subaru Impreza S12c. Clonakilty driver Kevin Kelleher had Ger Seaman on the notes as they started at 3 in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9. Late entrants took up the next two places with Colm Murphy / Don Montgomery carrying 145 on their Subaru Impreza and Daniel Barry / Brian Duggan with 152 on their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9. Robert Barrable / Damien Connolly were at 4 in a Skoda Fabia S2000, the car making its Irish debut. Peter Lloyd / Martin Brady were at 6 in another Impreza WRC, while the top ten was completed by Trevor Mulligan / Sean Hayde (Escort), Damien McCarthy / Eamon Hayes (Honda Civic) and John & Declan Buttimer (Subaru Impreza).
Day 1
Dry bright and sunny conditions greeted the drivers as they left the start ramp to head to service, but by the time the first stage began, black clouds were beginning to gather overhead. Quickest on the first test was Colm Murphy by just 0.2 of a second from Daragh ORiordan. However a power steering pump burst on stage 2 which relegated Murphy to third. ORiordan then went into the lead with Kelleher in second despite a misfire. Top seed John Dalton was finding the year long layoff from the sport a major disadvantage. He was also struggling with gravel causing the car to move around more than he would like and lay in 6th place. Robert Barrable settled in very steadily while Danny Barry occupied fifth. Already Damien McCarthy was showing his speed with seventh overall. Brian OKeeffe suffered a puncture on the first stage which cost him a few minutes. Sean ODonovan lost time with ECU problems while Des Moore was also stopped in stage 2. Diarmuid Keohane retired on the first stage when a crankshaft pulley broke.
The rain started coming down on the second loop making life more difficult for the drivers and Dalton in particular. Wrong tyres cost ORiordan the lead as Murphy moved back in front, revelling in the conditions. Barrable had a spin while Kelleher dropped back a little. Kevin OConnor was putting in a storming drive in his Citroen to lead the category halfway through the event. The weather continued to deteriorate as the drivers tackled the Clogagh and Ballinascarthy stages for the first time. ORiordan was fastest on stage 5 while Barrable took stage 6 but the top four drivers had very little to separate them. Murphy still led at this point by 14 seconds from ORiordan with Barrable just a fraction behind. Kelleher was 20 seconds further back after a spin and a stall. Barry lost time when he went off after a jump and damaged his suspension allowing the flying Damien McCarthy into 5th place. A broken tooth in 4th gear in the Darrian gearbox spelled the end of John Daltons rally, while Fintan Canty crashed out on Clogagh.
By the time the final two stages of the day ran, the standing water was making things very treacherous for the drivers. Murphy took a lead of 15 seconds overnight which could have been more substantial but for a spin on the final stage. Kelleher was a further 15 seconds back after some superb driving in awful conditions. ORiordan was now back in fourth, a further six seconds back. Barry had retaken fifth place from McCarthy. Kevin OConnors great drive ended with a roll on stage seven with Philip Cross also crashing out. OConnors retirement promoted Kieran Daly to the lead of the Citroens heading into day 2.
Top 6 at the end of Day 1
1 Colm Murphy / Don MontgomeryImpreza Gp N1.09.59.7
2 Robert Barrable / Damien ConnollySkoda Fabia S20001.10.15.5
3 Kevin Kelleher / Gerard SeamanLancer Evo 9Gp N1:10.28.5
4 Daragh ORiordan / Tony McDaidImpreza WRC1:10.34.3
5 Danny Barry / Brian DugganLancer Evo 9 GP N1:12.10.6
6 Damien McCarthy / Eamon HayesHonda Civic1.12.17.7
Day 2
The weather improved dramatically for the second day as early morning dampness cleared to dry sunny conditions. ORiordan went on a real charge with a time thirteen seconds quicker than Barrable and twenty seconds quicker than Kelleher and Murphy. Murphy was having problems with a broken exhaust manifold but he still held the lead. Worse was to come for Kelleher as he crashed heavily on the following stage Inchybridge, fortunately without injury to either crew member. The Inchybridge stage also saw the end of the event for Mark Sheahan in the Citroen as he crashed out of the rally.
The second run over Ring and Inchybridge saw Barrable take the lead as Murphys manifold problems increased. Despite ORiordan trying his best, Barrable kept a steady distance between himself and the Subaru. ORiordans cause wasnt helped by a spin on the second run over Ring. Murphy was slowly being reeled in by ORiordan as the lack of power was telling. Just 14 seconds separated the top three with five stages remaining. Damien McCarthy was suffering from slight gearbox problems but was still setting some amazing times. Peter Lloyd was finding things much easier the second day and had moved well inside the top ten.
The afternoon loop of stages consisted of two runs over Ardfield and Hayes Cross, with one final blast over the town stage in Clonakilty. ORiordan was fastest on the first two but not enough to trouble Barrable unduly. There was still 12 seconds of a gap with three stages to go. ORiordan had a big moment when he went along a bank at high speed on Ardfield but managed to get away with it. Murphy was now losing a lot of time and was settling for third position. Damien McCarthys clutch began to slip and Trevor Mulligan punctured which dropped him outside the top ten. In class 13 Thomas Davies and Leonard Downey were having a tremendous battle with Davies trying his best to close the gap after losing time on the first day.
On the second run though Ardfield ORiordan closed the gap to just 8 seconds and on Hayes Cross Barrable caught Murphys ailing Subaru which held him up slightly. The result of this was just 0.1 seconds separated the front two going into the final town stage with Barrable still ahead. Both drivers pulled out all the stops to gain that all important second. Barrable held his nerve to take fastest on the stage by just 1.2 seconds. This gave him overall victory by just 1.3 seconds; the closest ever finish on the event. Murphy had to be content with third place while Danny Barry took fourth place. Drive of the rally came from McCarthy / Hayes who had to nurse their Honda Civic home to fifth overall after a stunning performance. Damiens father Willie also managed fifth place in the 1989 event beating much more powerful machinery in his 1600 Escort.
Peter Lloyd took sixth place after a much improved second day. Leonard Downey edged out Thomas Davies by just eight seconds for seventh place. Fergus OMeara and Trevor Mulligan in their Escorts made up the top ten after Gwyn Thomas was forced to retire late on with a broken rear differential. Top points in the Citroen Trophy went to Kieran Daly from Scott McElhinney after Joe McGonigle crashed heavily on the penultimate stage. The Historic Rally was won by Mark Falvey in his Escort after setting some excellent stage times. Jonathan OMahony / Frank Ryan won the Junior category while the Sunday run was won by Eoghan & Conor Calnan.
Robert Barrables victory meant that it was the first time that both a father and a son won the West Cork Rally, following Michaels win in 2007. It was also a winning debut for the Skoda Fabia S2000 in Ireland, a car that seems to be tailor made for Irish Rallying. It was also another successful Quality Hotels West Cork Rally, once again excellently managed by Clerk of the Course Darren McCarthy.
Top 6 Overall
1 Robert Barrable / Damien ConnollySkoda Fabia S20002:08:57.4
2 Daragh ORiordan / Tony McDaidImpreza WRC2:08:58.7
3 Colm Murphy / Don MontgomeryImpreza Gp N2:10:28.9
4 Danny Barry / Brian DugganLancer Evo 9 Gp N2:13:30.7
5 Damien McCarthy / Eamon HayesHonda Civic2:14:27.4
6 Peter Lloyd / Martin BradyImpreza WRC2:17:55.3
Marshals are the people that run rallies. Without your help the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally will not run.
If you are available to help over the weekend of the rally on Saturday and Sunday, March 19 and 20, we would like to hear from you.
In return for marshalling over the two days, the club will provide accommodation and food.
You need to register your details with the Chief Marshal.
Please c ontact:
Chief Marshal: Edel Fahy
Tel 086 8059501 (after 6pm. Text any time).
email: chiefmarshal_westcorkrally.com
Stages 1 & 3, Sams Cross.
Stage Commander is Joe Shinnors Jnr (087 9580839) with Assistant Stage Commander Mike O Shea. Meeting place is Lissavaird Co Op at 7:35 am. GPS co-ordinates are N51 36.223 W8 58.431. Clubs assigned to these stages are Limerick and Killarney.
Stages 2 & 4, Shanaway.
Stage Commander is Sean Daly (086 3731193) with Assistant Stage Commander Steve Lane. Meeting place is Keohane's Quarry Ballingurteen at 8:00am. GPS co-ordinates are N51 40.215 W9 01.096. Clubs assigned to these stages are Tipp, Cork , Imokilly,
Stages 5 + 7, Clogagh.
Stage Commander is Finian Toomey (087 2480537) with Assistant Stage Commander John Ryan. Meeting place is Petrol Station at Ballinascarthy at 11:15am. GPS co-ordinates are N51 40.194 W8 51.430. Clubs assigned to these stages are Munster, Carrig-on-Suir and Wexford.
Stage 6 & 8, Ballinscarthy.
Stage Commander is Steve Sheehan (086 8459123) with Assistant Stage Commander Paul Sheehan. Meeting place is Commercial Hall at Gaggin (on the main Bandon to Clonakilty road) at 12 neen. GPS co-ordinates are N51 43.852 W8 48.607. Clubs assigned to these stages are Skibbereen, Kerry and Birr.
Stages 10 & 12, Ring.
Stage Commander is Joe Shinnors Jnr (087 9580839) with Assistant Stage Commander Mike O Shea. Meeting place is Industrial Hall Clonakilty bypass at 8:00am. GPS co-ordinates are N51 37.183 W8 53.747. Clubs assigned to these stages are Limerick and Killarney.
Stages 11 & 13, Inchy Bridge.
Stage Commander is Sean Daly (086 3731193) with Assistant Stage Commander Steve Lane. Meeting place is Petrol Station Timoleague at 8:45am. GPS co-ordinates are N51 38.523 W8 45.940. Clubs assigned to these stages are Tipp, Cork , Imokilly.
Stages 14 + 16, Ardfield.
Stage Commander is Finian Toomey (087 2480537) with Assistant Stage Commander John Ryan. Meeting place is Industrial Hall Clonakilty bypass at 11:15am. GPS co-ordinates are N51 37.183 W8 53.747. Clubs assigned to these stages are Munster, Carrig-on-Suir and Wexford.
Stages 15 + 17, Hayes' Cross.
Stage Commander is Steve Sheehan (086 8459123) with Assistant Stage Commander Paul Sheehan. Meeting place is Pike Bar at 11:45am. GPS co-ordinates are N51 36.043 W8 57.543. Clubs assigned to these stages are Skibbereen, Kerry and Birr.
Stage 18, Clonakilty Town.
Stage Commander John S Quill with Assistant Stage Commander Bryan McCarthy. Meeting place is Clononakilty Graveyard at 2.30pm. GPS co-ordinates are N51 37.502 W8 54.327. Marshals coming from Stages 10 and 11. We cannot have too many marshals on this stage.
